Tokyo — An unprecedented heatwave in Japan has killed at least 65 people in one week, government officials said on Tuesday, with the weather agency now classifying the record-breaking weather as a "natural disaster". In the week to Sunday at least 65 people died of heatstroke while 22,647 people were hospitalised, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in a statement. Both figures are "the worst-ever for any week during summer" since the agency began recording fatalities resulting from heatstroke in July 2008, an agency spokesman said. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Tuesday that a total of 80 people had died from the heat since the beginning of July, and more than 35,000 had been hospitalised. Among those killed was six-year-old school boy who lost consciousness on his way back from a field trip. "As a record heatwave continues to blanket the country, urgent measures are required to protect the lives of schoolchildren," top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga tol...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.